Medical Nanosilver Face Masks

Nano-Silver Highly Conductive 76% Silver Embedded Fabric

The inception of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the textile industry has seen the development of new fabric which has proven to be beneficial against disease-causing microorganisms. The nanosilver highly conductive 73% silver embedded fabric is currently one of the most used textile nanomaterials for their antimicrobial properties. Their antimicrobial activity is exhibited on the interaction of the silver ions with the microorganisms; the fabric loses an ion to become charged positively and works by inhibiting the respiratory enzymes of bacterial organisms. They pierce the cell’s external surfaces leading to damage to their DNA and the structure of the protein membranes; this halts the metabolic and reproductive activities of the cells and eventual death. According to Silver Nano Face Masks (c2020), the silver ions leave upon the cells becoming inactive, however, they continuously act against the microorganisms while delivering consistent antimicrobial activity without any side effects or toxicities. Recent studies have revealed that the silver nanoparticles exhibit inhibitory properties against viruses such as hepatitis B, Tacaribe, respiratory syncytial, HIV-1, monkeypox, H1N1 influenza, and herpes simplex between the horst cells and the viruses (Silver Nano Face Masks, c2020).
Substantially, Burdusel et al (2018), notes that another mechanism of action for the silver nanoparticles may be through damaging cell structure of disease causing microorganisms due to the production of nano silver particles and necessary macromolecule inactivation or generation of reactive oxygen species. One notable factor with metallic silver ions is that in as much as they show higher antimicrobial activities, they are easily dislodged by different cellular components, phosphatic, proteins, and chloride compounds (Burdusel et al, 2018). However, the biostatic action of the nanosilver ions used in making the face mask fabric is influenced by varied physicochemical properties such as size, states of dissolution and oxidation, surface charge, and coating and sizes. The silver nanoparticles’ impressive antimicrobial properties have led to varied design and development productions in textile, and biomedical performance-based enhanced nanosilver products including orthopedic materials and devices (Burdusel et al, 2018). Medical concerns around the world on the healthcare system are shown by the emergence of phenomena such as viral pandemics; the silver nanoparticles thus are potential for a cost-effective and biofriendly design of antimicrobial materials (Burdusel et al, 2018).

Efficacy and Advantages

The current face of Coronavirus has seen the introduction of face masks by the Silver Nano company, using the silver ion property, they have produced washable and reusable face masks that incorporate the silver ion property against disease-causing microorganisms. The nanofibers porosity and efficiency in filtration makes them vital in the production of face masks according to Aloufy & El-Messiry (2013). The masks are made by directly infusing the silver into the fiber rather than giving the fibers a treatment on the surface. The nanoparticles are released at the right amount keeping a thin film of silver on the fabric thus preventing footholds of bacteria. The nanosilver does not dissolve in the water but increases inactivity; they release ions by slow-release which improves the antibacterial effects. The masks can be washed repeatedly, they are durable and not easily deformed; according to CBS 19News (2020), the masks can be worn for eight hours in a day and for a week and at 600C, it can be washed 150 times for reuse.
The use of silver nanoparticles in medical design has proven to be of an advantage in preventing varied forms of illnesses caused by microbes. The nanosilver technology in fabric industry specifically in the production of face masks poses potential benefits such as:

1. Protection of from disease-causing bacteria.

The release of charged silver ions inhibits the respiratory enzymes of bacterial organisms which leads to the damage of cellular DNA and structure preventing infections.

2. Protection against viruses.

The masks made using the silver nanotechnology boasts of efficacy against the current infections COVID-19 pandemic. The nanosilver damage cell structure of disease causing microorganisms due to the production of silver ions and necessary macromolecule inactivation or generation of reactive oxygen species thus inhibiting viral activity.

3. The technology makes the masks durable.

The need to constantly put on face masks may be overwhelming financially, however, the nanosilver fabric face masks are very quality consistent and can be reused. At 300C, it lasts for up to 260 washes and be used for a whole week. This also makes them cost-effective.

4. Human friendly.

Nanosilver is human friendly with medical advantages as it kills more than 650 harmful microbes. Compared to conventional masks, the mask does not allow the spread of bacterial and viral infections as all the microorganisms are destroyed preventing secondary infections.

5. Anti-inflammatory properties.

The silver nanoparticles fabric face mask also treats and prevents sinus infections; they are thus effective against allergic reactions as silver ions destroy several infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This makes it efficient for against airborne allergic reactions and strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Toxicity and Disadvantages

Recent studies have focused on evaluating the toxicity of the use of silver nanoparticles in various aspects of medical designs such as face masks; Burdusel et al (2018), notes that the studies performed have shown differences in the surface changes resulting from the silver nanoparticles surface functionalization which equally affects cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and tissue translocation. Notably, surface charge magnitude (measured by the zeta potential ) influences the amount of nanoparticles and cellular uptake mechanisms. Silver nanoparticles’ toxicity is related to their transformation on environmental media, and biological conditions such as their surface oxidation, silver ions release and biological macromolecule interactions. The most notable toxicity issue raised with the use of nanosilver face masks is that the exposure to the silver ions causes a decrease in the viability of cells through the induction of apoptosis-related genes and apoptotic mechanism activation (Burdusel et al, 2018). The silver nanoparticles also induce reactive oxygen species formation and accumulation in the cells and mitochondrial membrane modification and damage of a person's DNA. The exposure to silver ions according to Burdusel et al (2018), heightens genotoxicity, levels of apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Evidently, oxidative stress due to silver ions exposure results in inflammatory responses hence there is an increased endothelial cell permeability and innate immunity inactivation

Conclusion

Conclusively, nanosilver face masks show great efficacy in preventing various illnesses caused by microorganisms. The nanosilver fabric technology is efficient against the spread and infection of the current COVID-19 pandemic coupled with other viral, allergic, and bacterial infections; however, its efficacy is subject to further study on its toxicity to the human body.

References

Aloufy. A. K & El-Messiry. M. A. M. (2013). Nano-silver embeded nanofibrous face-mask for infection control. New Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology Lab, NNREL, Textile Engineering Dept., Faculty of Engineering Alexandria University. Retrieved from http://www.i-asem.org/publication_conf/anbre13/T5A.9.NR708_916F.pdf

Burdusel. C. A. et al, (2018). Biomedical Applications of Silver Nanoparticles: An Up-to-Date Overview. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2018 Sep; 8(9): 681. MDPI. NCBI. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6163202/

CBS 19News. (2020). Re-usable Silver-Nano Anti-bacterial Face Masks have just arrived in stock. Retrieved from https://www.cbs19news.com/story/41984390/re-usable-silver-nano-anti-bacterial-face-masks-have-just-arrived-in-stock

Silver Nano Face Masks (c2020). Reusable Nanosilver Antibacterial Face Masks. Retrieved from https://www.silvernanofacemasks.com/